STAND. COM. REP. NO. 525

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1019

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Human Services and Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 1019 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO YOUTH,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a safe places for youth pilot program;

(2) Requires the Office of Youth Services to reduce the use of status offense laws and implement a status offense diversion program; and

(3) Appropriate funds for the safe places for youth pilot program and status offense diversion program.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Youth Services, Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Kaua‘i, Hawaii Youth Services Network, LGBT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Harm Reduction Hawaii, O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, and four individuals.

Your Committees find that homeless youth are at a substantial risk of suffering from physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. Your Committees further find that a significant majority of homeless or runaway youth have dropped out or will drop out of school. Your Committees additionally find that "status offenses" are instances of conduct that would not be crimes except if committed by a minor. Your Committees also find that detention resulting from status offenses has been shown to have a severe negative impact on youth and do not resolve the issues that led to the offense. This measure establishes programs that will provide safe places for homeless youth and prevent them from going into detrimental detention for status offenses.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Human Services and Judiciary that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1019 and recommend that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Human Services and Judiciary,

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair

________________________________ RUSSELL E. RUDERMAN, Chair